Been a while since I owned a black vehicle, but now that I've got one, I'm remembering what a pain it was to clean without leaving streaks, spots, swirls, etc. Anyone have any tactics they've used that have worked well to avoid these?

The best way I have found, is to let somebody else do it and you point out all the water spots and make them fix it. Seriously, I hate black vehicles because of that, and the fact I only wash my silver truck once a year. Best tip I can give you is wash it early morning or late evening when the body is cool, a hot body temp is just as bad as the sun for making water spots. Buy a few chamois, I normally use 3-4 when drying a vehicle. And the final step is Eagle products quick detail, use this for when you miss a few water spots and in between washes to get rid of finger prints and such

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Originally Posted By: bill oxner

Ever spit it out rather than swallow it?

Originally Posted By: pegasaurus

Enjoy it while you can. One day you might be complaining about NOT getting random pop-ups in the morning.

Owed a mobile wash for 10 years. Best way is to get hold of spot free water either Reverse Osmosis or Deionized. I agree with the early morning and late evening when the temp is lower gives you longer to chamois clean. I really like the synthetic chamois in the above link, used them for years and they are great cause you can stick them in the washing machine to clean them

I owned Black Cars and Trucks from 1994 until this past December when I bought a white Dodge MegaCab and I couldn't be happier! Haven't washed it in months and it looks great.

I used to show a Black Chevy Impala SS so I spent alot of time on detailing.

Wash with a good automotive shampoo (not dish soap). Make your wash water really sudsy. Use a nice fluffy wash thing (mit, rag, etc.) You want to keep the dirt off the car surface so you don't scratch it while washing which the suds and wash thing will do for you. Wash up and down on sides, back to front on surfaces. No circles or side to side. Rinse and use a chamois to dry. I really like the "Absorber", no Water Blades! Use something like Meguiar's Quik Detailer to shine up your wax after. A time or two a year, use Dawn to wash to remove your wax or what's left of it. Go over the truck with a Clay Bar (Meguiars, Mothers, Griot) and detailing spray which pulls all of the fine dirt/grit out of fine scratches in the paint. You'll be amazed how smooth the surface will be after doing this. It's also akin to a really really fine sanding. Don't drop the Clay Bar on the ground! Pitch it if you do. You can do a Polish next to get out any fine scratches, then apply the wax of your choosing. I prefer Meguiars or Griot's products.

Wash it in the shade. When you rinse, drench it, don't leave any spots that are just spots of water on dry paint, rinse thoroughly. I never dried one with a towel. After air drying hand wax. Never had swirls, water spots or anything but chips from normal road wear.

Get a charcoal filter and splice in in between your faucet and the hose. Rainwater does not spot your truck and neither does properly filtered water.Go to Walmart (or any where) and get a bottle of the cheapest octane booster you can find. Use 1 CAPFUL in your soap bucket. Pay attention, more is NOT better.Do not buy another black truck.